Let us note right away that the systems described below allow anyone in the slightest degree educated person create your own entry-level automated home, spending a minimum of money and effort on it. And all the devices described are distinguished primarily by their ease of installation and use, and not by their outstanding characteristics. All of them can easily be replaced with similar ones, it all depends on your preferences, the availability of devices for sale, and on several technical factors. In addition, we do not specify here where you can buy the devices mentioned in the article; you will have to do this yourself if the need arises.
"Smart" home surveillance system
The first thing that comes to mind when you think about home automation is ensuring the safety of your home and family. Especially if you see your home as a space crammed with “smart” (and not so smart) electronics. Therefore, it is very important to know what is happening inside your home and in its immediate environment, including when you yourself are somewhere outside the house.
There are many companies that offer smart cameras that can monitor your home while you're away, including iSmartAlarm, which recently unveiled its new ICamera at CEDIA 2014. It has a resolution of 1280x720 and also has night vision function. In addition, it naturally contains motion and sound sensors. Interesting fact is that the camera can be used independently, without the need to be included in a single system" smart home"The main advantage of the camera over its competitors is the storage function. ICamera has USB port, allowing you to connect local information storage, for example, a powerful terabyte disk. This camera costs $149, which is in the middle of the price range for such devices.
Or, alternatively, you can use a smart HD camera from Withings, which should be available soon. This camera not only looks good and has all the necessary control sensors environment, but also allows you to see what's going on in your home from anywhere. The system has a live recording function, and you will be able to see what is happening in the house through the mobile application, you will also be able to zoom in to see the details. The camera has the function of sending an automatic alert if something different happens in the house. usual order. The price of the camera is 200 euros.
Here are some more options:
"Smart" environment control
Surveillance cameras alone are not enough to ensure security in the house - no matter how hard they try, they cannot cover the entire space and monitor all events. Therefore, it is necessary to use sensors to control and ensure safety various kinds, fortunately, their choice is now very wide.
Take the Notion security system, for example, which uses a small, multi-function sensor that delivers exceptional performance. With it, you can know how much fuel is left in your propane tank, when your child gets home from school, whether you have a water leak, what the temperature is in the refrigerator, whether anyone has touched your safe, and the like. The system includes a hub that controls all sensors and connects to the Internet via WiFi, multifunctional sensors capable of detecting 8 various actions and a mobile application based on iOS and Android.
The system includes light, temperature, proximity sensors, an accelerometer and a gyroscope to control the opening of doors and windows, a water leakage probe and a piezoelectric transducer. Each sensor can detect several different events, so the system will respond more accurately to situations and thus provide protection against false alarms. The sensors operate for up to two years without battery replacement.
The price of the device is not yet known, since the project is at the stage of obtaining financing for production.
Alternative environmental control systems:
"Smart" lighting
It seemed simple thing- lighting. But remember how many times you have to get up to turn on this or that lamp, how many times you thought that it would be nice to be able to dim the lighting a little here and add it there. There are several systems on the market (plus a few on the way) that let you control your lights using your smartphone, but one of the first and most trusted ones is Philips Hue. This system has grown and changed a lot since it came onto the market, but the original system allows you to control it using mobile application 50 light bulbs connected to a wireless network.
The system includes a bridge that connects the lamps into a single network, and a smartphone (or tablet) app that allows you to do many things, such as setting certain modes in which individual bulbs change the tone and intensity of the light. The system has a number of preset modes: Concentration, Energy, Reading and Relaxation. All of them differ in different settings for controllable Philips Hue LED lamps.
Philips Hue even lets you change the color of the lights or turn on special treatment in case of your long absence, so that it gives the impression that someone is at home.
And you can select all these settings right from your favorite sofa.
Such a system, frankly speaking, is not cheap. A starter kit of a basic controller and three lamps costs about $300, with each additional lamp costing about $80.
Here is a similar system, different in that it allows you to control the lighting using your voice. We are talking about a light bulb socket, called Vocca, which acts as an intermediary between an ordinary light bulb and no less an ordinary cartridge. Smart gadget has a speech recognition function: upon hearing a code phrase, it turns the lighting on or off. Voice control is not new, but in Vocca it is implemented as simple and in a convenient way: The device does not require additional hardware and does not require any configuration. There is also a Vocca Pro modification that allows you to change the passphrase and control the lighting from your smartphone. In this case, Bluetooth is used for communication.
Here are also some alternative options:
"Smart" heating
Just as with smart lighting, there are many possible options decisions, some of which may do more than others. And you have to decide for yourself what you want from your heating system, other than being able to control it with your smartphone or tablet. You should also consider what type of heating system or boilers you have in order to find a solution that will work with them. Which is not as obvious as it seems. For example, the NEST thermostat, popular in the USA, only recently began to be sold in Europe and until now it was not suitable for use with heating systems familiar to Russia.
One of the very convenient systems is the Honeywell Evohome, which connects to your heating boiler and room radiators, allowing it to control 12 individual zones from a single center console or via a mobile app.
Each zone can have multiple radiators, and you can set your own parameters for each of them. The Honeywell Evohome system comes with several preset settings that will allow you, for example, to lower the temperature of your home when you're away all day.
The Evohome starter kit, which allows you to connect your boiler and water heater to it, will cost over $400, and each battery sensor will cost you about another $80 each. Frankly speaking, it’s an expensive pleasure, especially when compared with competitive solutions, but it’s worth it. It is still better to entrust the installation of the system to specialists; it will take less time and ultimately allow you to save a lot of nerves.
As a simpler option, you can consider the ZEN thermostat, the production of which is currently being collected on the Indiegogo website. This device doesn’t even have a display: all information is displayed via a group of LEDs, and the thermostat is controlled by pressing the edges front panel. However, ZEN looks stylish and performs basic functions - heating, cooling and ventilation control - very well. You can connect to the thermostat using an iOS or Android app. It allows you not only to regulate the temperature and operating mode, but also to create a schedule. Of course, all this can be done remotely, via the Internet. The thermostat currently only supports the ZigBee protocol for connecting to Wi-Fi networks you need to use a special hub.
The estimated cost of the thermostat is $150.
Of the possible options, the following devices seem to us the most preferable:
"Smart" power supply
If you are one of the people who periodically begins to worry about whether you turned off the iron before leaving home, or begin to wonder why electricity costs have increased so much and what can be done about it, then systems that remotely control network-connected devices , will help you cope with these worries. Now such systems have begun to appear on the market in more and their main function is the ability to turn off from afar electrical sockets and thereby turn off unused equipment.
The D-Link Smart Plug is a simple, easy-to-use device. You just need to paste it into standard socket, press the WPS button on your router and the button on the Smart Plug. And your smart plug is already online. Control is carried out using the mydlink Home application, which exists in versions for iOS and Android and is supplied free of charge. The application allows you not only to turn the device on and off, but also to schedule it to turn on/off at certain time, which is very convenient when leaving for long time. The suggested retail price for the D-Link Smart Plug is $39.99.
Alternative options:
Smart home equipment
Start building" smart home"with security systems, lighting and heating - this is a very good step, but if your budget is not exhausted, then you can somewhat expand your capabilities by considering the use of smart home devices. Today you can buy a lot various kinds devices that are controlled using a smartphone, and one of the leaders here are Korean Samsung and LG. But we will introduce you not only to these manufacturers.
The topic “Smart Home” is already on everyone’s lips. They talk about it, they invest in it, they develop it... On this topic, to such giants as Siemens, General Electric etc. seemingly not entirely specialized companies joined, such as Microsoft, Google, Apple.
There is no single standard on the topic, just as there are no instructions, they say, “do this and that,” so theoretically, anyone can build their own smart home and exactly the way they want, and therefore I could not miss this topic and actively joined it. I won’t say that I ate the dog with smart houses... no, more like I bit the bullet, but nevertheless, based on my experience and my observations, I will try to post a detailed... mmm... How-To? No, it won't work. Review? That’s not it either... More likely it will be parting words or some set of advice.
Theater begins with a hanger, and I will start by dotting all the “I’s” right away, so that readers do not have any unfounded negativity or simply some kind of misunderstanding during the reading process.
The most important thing is that the article is intended for people who have not yet really understood whether they even need this “Smart Home” and whether they need to get involved in this topic?
Now the term.
Let's be honest, a “Smart Home” is not only a system with artificial intelligence that talks to you in the morning in the bathroom (while you shave) and prepares dinner for you while you are driving home. There is no need to confuse the system with the wife.
Smart home is any an automation/automation system (or a complex of automation/automation systems) that somehow, even the smallest fraction, makes your life easier. It doesn’t matter what it is: automatically turning off the light in the toilet after a person leaves and closes the door, or a system that itself waters house flowers, feeds your beloved cat and shuts off a leaking water supply pipe if you stay late at work. If something in your home is triggered based on some kind of algorithm, then it can already be called a “Smart Home” system, only with limited functionality.
Also, a “Smart Home” is not only a mansion stuffed with electronics, but also an apartment in which your automation and/or control system operates, i.e. " Smart apartment" - this is also a “Smart Home” and further in the text we will use this very term.
In general, there is no need for a person to be excessively boring, and to get into a debate on the question of how smart the “Smart House” turned out to be, which was made by student Kolya, is, in my opinion, a disrespect for the work of that same Kolya. Did he do it? Does it work and control something? Great, well done! Let it continue to grow above itself.
Let's return to the topic.
We want to build our “Smart Home”, where to start? From purchase, construction? No, in this matter, as in all engineering tasks, you need to start with paper, or rather, with a project. Will it be a piece of chewed paper with diagrams and drawings that only you can understand, or will it be something drawn in *CAD... the main thing is that at least you understand what is depicted there.
Don’t be afraid to describe “long-term plans”; write down and think through everything, even what you can do in the very distant future. It’s better to think about everything now because then it will be too late. This is an experience paid for with the blood of many engineers who stepped on numerous mistakes.
What should you pay attention to?
1. Users
Consider how the system you introduce will be handled by users, i.e. residents of your home or members of your family. Will people who are not technically savvy (old people, children or a wife - it doesn’t matter who exactly) be able to use this? Scenario like: “Honey, the light in the toilet is about to turn on, now I’m just updating the firmware to the Arduino.” doesn't fit. Imagine that you are renting out your system to a rich “redneck” bandit, who, seeing your switches with LED backlight will tell you: " This... hear, what kind of crap is this? Where is there to go?"What is obvious to you may not be completely clear to others.
2. Technology
Wired or wireless. If it’s wired, then you need to make plans for laying all the necessary cables (and preferably with a large margin). Where to lay out the walls, where to place sockets and automation elements - everything should be on the diagram. If the system is wireless, then think about where the transmitters/receivers will be located, where the signal repeaters will be located.
Now you remember this, in a month, when there is a lot of information, your head will be a mess and something will be forgotten.
3. Executor
Who will do all this? Are you yourself or a hired company specializing in the topic? It will be cheaper to do it yourself, but it will require you to dive deeply into the issue. We will still rely on self-deployment, because the category of the article is “Do it yourself”, right?
4. Autonomy
When thinking through the functionality and capabilities of a smart home, always count on the fact that there will be no Internet in the house. Of course, many smart guys will object to me, they say, you need to think about the possibility of pairing with something in the outside world... think it through, lay it out, no one argues, but your smart home should work properly in complete autonomy/isolation mode. It may be difficult for a person living in a metropolis to understand how it is possible to have no Internet at all... GPRS, ADSL, at least there should be something back up? No, no and no again! Nothing may happen, but it should work All.
Here's an example:
You have built a funny system: say “Nafanya, turn on the multicooker/light in the toilet” and the system turns off the multicooker or the light in the toilet, simultaneously saying “Turning it on.” But suddenly, due to the evil hackers of Al-Qaeda, your provider’s network fell off, and after it the network of your mobile operator“Speaker”, which provides you with a backup LTE channel. Naturally Google TTS, which was based on your system voice control, fell off and the smart home instantly turned into a dumb dumbass who couldn’t turn on anything. Make it possible manual control, and even better, make the system so that it can, for example, read out loud the weather without voice Google service. It's difficult, but it's possible. Nobody said that deploying a Smart Home is like installing MS Office.
Second example:
You managed to control your smart home through an Android application, but after the malicious hacker attack described above, your smartphone was unable to access the cloud service and command the smart home to turn off the forgotten iron. Write your own application that can work remotely via a mobile operator’s 2G network or via Wi-Fi if you are within the coverage area of your home access point.
5. The next point to remember when designing follows from the previous one: The “core” of your automation system.
Your home may have a router (ADSL, LTE or something else), a switch or some other network switching device, but a smart home must be controlled by a “core” - a separate and independent device. Under no circumstances combine network traffic management and home management in one piece of hardware. Nowadays there are many routers on which you can install firmware with miniature copy Linux, and many people who are familiar with this topic try to attach whatever comes to mind to such routers. Personally, I love routers that allow me to fine-tune everything I need more precisely, but I don’t think it’s right to install controls on a device that wasn’t originally designed for it.
Your home may be left completely without a network, but it should work home automation or vice versa, home automation may fail, but this should not drag down the work of the LAN (local area network).
6. Kernel placement
Underneath all this fuss with the router, switch, control system core, backup power systems, etc. you need to allocate a separate place: a closet, a closet, a closed niche/mezzanine. Anything where there is ventilation (the equipment will get hot and you need to think about cooling) and where it will not be in the way/in the eye. Your system should not spoil general view housing and make negative changes to home comfort.
If you have a basement, then it is better to deploy your “mission control center” there. 
7. Expenses
Perhaps this should have been inserted somewhere closer to the beginning, but if the previous points were not fully worked out, then the matter may not come to expenses.
The most important thing to know is that a Smart Home is a damn expensive endeavor. You can do something yourself (etch boards, program microcontrollers), but this will only reduce your costs, and not eliminate them altogether.
The next most important thing to consider at this point is duplication. The purchase of any equipment and performers should be doubled and always rounded up the larger side. In your home, for each performer (switches, sensors, etc.) there should be a backup in the stash (unless, of course, a third-party organization is involved in servicing your home). Don't count on the fact that if something breaks, you will go to the store and buy it.
Example:
The tension jumped. Although the protection worked, some of the built-in light switches burned out. I You got sick yesterday and are lying at home with a temperature of 39.2 degrees. Let's say that you are a courageous man (that's a pun), and, not caring about your health, you decided to get out of bed and replace all the switches yourself, but... with what? Understudy.
Have you decided to place a camera in front of the entrance? Buy two. Have you figured out that you need 12 smart switches around the house? Buy 24. Do you think it’s possible that all 12 will fly out at once? It happens, unfortunately, that the very first thing you have to duplicate is the system kernel.
Bottom line
I described a negligible part of the beginning of such a large and interesting project for most “techies” as the “Smart Home”. This topic affects almost all areas of IT: networks, programming, administration, automation, electrical and electronics... and this makes it a complex topic that requires a special approach. This is evident from what I wrote above, but if it is not visible, then the writer in me has never matured.
It’s impossible to cram the entire text into one article; I’ve already shortened it enough, so there will be at least one more part of the material, which, in principle, will contain advice/recommendations on choosing software and hardware. It sounds a little strange, they say, there is such a variety of technologies, what advice can there be? However, there are tips and recommendations even in such a situation.
Thanks to everyone for your attention, and to those who read all this to the end.
What makes a “smart” home is not the number of smart devices, but the automation logic, which is configured through scripts in .
Considering the number of system devices Smart Home Xiaomi, the number of possible scenarios is in the hundreds of thousands. We will try to analyze the main points, triggers and executed events.
How automation scripts work
Neural networks have not yet reached a level that allows you to completely give control of a smart home artificial intelligence. Therefore everything possible situations we need to think about it ourselves, and automate it with the help of the Smart Home system. And setting up scripts will help us with this.
The general operating principle of the system can be schematically represented as follows:
Quite simple, isn't it?
You can also configure the script to trigger one of the conditions:
Unfortunately, you cannot combine “AND” and “OR” conditions in one scenario. To do this, you will have to configure several scripts.
Conditions for running the script
All scenes in the smart home are registered and run from certain conditions. Let's look at what could trigger a scenario in a Xiaomi smart home. (Considered using the Mi Home application for Android as an example; the iPhone application has slightly different functionality).
- Manual launch- everything is banal here, go into the application and click on the button to execute the script.
- Timer- you can set the script to run on certain days and at a certain time.
- When calling- when calling your mobile phone the action will be performed.
- When you receive a message- similar to the previous trigger.
- When the weather outside changes- You can ignore it for now, since you can only use weather data in China.
- Triggering of a sensor or device- depending on the devices you have, this could be " ", pressing a button, alarm on, etc..
You can set multiple conditions to be met if they are logically compatible. Let me explain: you can combine, for example, “Timer” and “the temperature in the room is above 23 degrees,” but you cannot combine “Timer” and “pressing a button,” since it is very difficult to compare the operation of these conditions at the same time. If a condition combination is not available, it is marked with a padlock symbol:
When you set a run trigger with an OR condition, you can combine any conditions.
Mi Home script actions
The available script actions depend on the selected conditions and devices. Also available:
- Run script- you can configure the script to run on a specific condition;
- Enable/disable script- scenarios can be either turned on or off, depending on the selected conditions;
- Delay- delayed execution of an action (you can set a delay of up to 1 hour);
- Device action- a specified action in a smart device.
You can combine the execution of several scenarios from one condition - creating scenes. Let's look at an example of building several frequently used scenes.
Xiaomi Alarm Scenario
One of the most popular scenarios. But at the same time, it is not so easy to set up. What we need to set up a home alarm system:
- One of
- One or more ;
- Reed switch (door opening sensor);
Basically this minimum set, which can be ordered as a set. If necessary, you can add a robot with automatic machine guns.
There are 2 ways to configure the alarm: Setting on the gateway and Setting up a separate scenario.
Gateway 2 signaling
Consider an example of setting up signaling on a gateway. All required sensors we have already added to it in advance. Go to the "Auto" tab of the gateway plugin. We see the “Attention” scene with a shield icon, go into it:
The first tab is “Timely notification”, in it you can configure the operating time of the protection mode on the gateway. The time is set without correction for Chinese time, I think there will be no problems with setting the work timer.
In the second tab "Alert trigger conditions" you configure the conditions that trigger the alarm.
Choose necessary conditions(2 door opening sensors and a motion sensor). The alarm will sound when any of these three sensors are triggered.
The next item is “Response time delay”. This is the time after which the alarm is activated. It is necessary so that you have time to leave the apartment before the alarm is activated.
IN additional settings You can set the sound and volume of the alert, light indication, signal time, and set up a link between the alarm and another gateway. The phone notification cannot be turned off.
This completes the alarm setup. You can activate the protection mode by double-clicking the gateway button (either in the gateway settings, or setting an activation script). Now, after the specified delay time has passed, when the door is opened or motion is detected, the gateway will turn on the siren and flash red.
What will the alarm give us? Of course, it won’t stop burglars; just unplug the gateway from the socket to stop the siren. But firstly, this may scare off the bandits, and secondly, you will know that someone has broken in on you. And here you can watch what is happening on camera, call the police or run home.
Everything seems simple and clear, but during operation we will encounter an obvious disadvantage: there is no delay in the siren operation. Those. you open front door, and immediately hear the joyful sound of a siren (if you do not disable the security mode on your phone before opening the door). The alarm is turned off by pressing the gateway button.
The question arises:
How to set the Xiaomi alarm delay?
And there are several solutions.
The first is to set your siren sound with silence at the beginning of the track. Accordingly, the alarm is activated, but you will have time to turn off the alarm.
Second - We set the action of the siren through the script. Let me explain, an alarm at the gateway is one of the conditions for triggering the scenarios.
The first thing we need to do is go to the gateway alarm settings and turn off the light indication and alert sound. Now the gateway protection mode will work, but without external factors. All we have to do is set up a script that triggers a gateway alarm:
Based on the settings of this scenario: When an alarm is triggered on the gateway:
- Delay 15 seconds;
- Play alarm sound;
- Shooting with a Xiaomi camera and recording to the cloud;
- Sending a notification to your phone.
Actions during anxiety can be supplemented.
But there is a minus, if you did not have time to turn off the alarm, then you will have to listen to the sound of the siren until the end.
Setting up a Xiaomi alarm through a script
There is also alternative way set up an alarm without using the gateway itself as a trigger.
The principle of operation is similar to the scenario with a gateway; when one of the doors is opened, or when motion is detected, the siren sound is triggered, the camera is recorded and a notification is sent to the phone.
How to turn on such an alarm? The gateway button will no longer work. You can set the alarm operating time directly in the scenario, item "Start scenario". But it’s better to display the activation and deactivation of the alarm on a separate device, for example a button. Let’s set 2 scenarios on the button: the first scenario turns on the “Security mode” after 15 seconds, and the second turns off the security mode and plays a short melody on the gateway:
Accordingly, pressing the button twice sets the alarm after 10 seconds. A single press disables the security mode and plays a short melody. The melody should interrupt the siren if you did not have time to turn off the alarm.
Depending on the configuration of your smart home, the alarm scenario can be expanded. Should be a good addition.
Scenarios that control the lighting of a Xiaomi smart home
Lighting control is one of the main purposes of a smart home. Xiaomi knows this and has already released it. And if you like regular lamps, they can be controlled using smart switches. Don’t forget about natural lighting, which can also be adjusted.
What scenarios will help organize lighting at home?
Remember those moments when you have to look for the light switch in the dark? Automatically turning on the light is one of the simplest scenarios. But it is worth considering that the light should not be turned on during the day. For the script we need:
We set the conditions: “The room is dark and motion is detected” and the action: “Turn on the lights.” It looks like this:
In this scenario, the gateway should be in the same room as the lamp; the motion sensor can be placed in front of the entrance or inside the room.
But it’s not enough to configure automatic switching on light, it must turn off at the right moment. To do this, the motion sensor has a condition: There is no movement for 2, 5, 10, 20 or 30 minutes. I think that no movement for 5 minutes will work fine, let's set up the scenario:
This is how you can automate indoor lighting with two simple scenarios.
Turning off the lights throughout the house
Another situation is when you leave home and you need to turn off the lights in the entire house. It’s especially offensive when you’ve already put on your shoes and see the light on in the back room. Of course, you can go into the application and turn off the lights specifically, but it’s easier to set up a script to turn off all the lights in the apartment. There should be no problems with setting up the scenario; to start the scenario, it is better to select the “End manually” option, and in the actions indicate all the lamps and switches that need to be turned off:
This script can be launched in the application, or configured to run on one of the buttons. For example, I have the launch set to the Aqara switch (pressing 2 buttons at the same time), which is located in the corridor.
You can also automate the execution of a script, for example, for no movement for 30 minutes:
According to this scenario, if there is no activity for 30 minutes on each of the motion sensors, the light-off scenario is executed. Here, of course, you need to experiment so that the light does not turn off when you go, for example, to the bath.
Combining scenarios into large-scale scenes
The Xiaomi Smart Home system has the ability to configure scenes consisting of several scenarios. Let's consider a scenario of leaving home in which we need to turn off the lights in the entire apartment and activate the protective mode. And for convenience, let’s set the scene to be executed on a separate device, for example.
Now, when you press the button, the lights in the entire house will be turned off and the security scenario will be activated. You can refine the scene with new conditions, for example, add conditions that all windows are closed.
I would like the house to understand when you leave and return, for example by tracking your bracelet. But so far this has not been implemented in the Xiaomi Smart Home system.
Presence simulation scenario
Returning to security scenarios, we can focus on the presence scenario. If you decide to go on vacation and the apartment is left unattended, then it would be a good idea to create the illusion that there are people in the apartment. Maybe remember the scene from the movie “Home Alone” when Kevin scared off the robbers by throwing a fake party? Something similar can be done through Xiaomi scripts. To simulate presence, you can use lighting devices and devices that produce sounds, such as a radio or TV.
Let's set up the lights to turn on automatically. You can use a timer, but it is better that it does not turn on at the same time. To do this, we use Gateway 2 with its light sensor. We’ll also configure how to turn on the TV using .
The stage can be expanded depending on your smart devices. For example you can add automatic closing and opening.
I would like to point out that simulating presence can activate an alarm. Make sure that the scenarios do not overlap with each other.
Smart home scenarios
Each scenario is unique and customizable specific task. On at this stage, with the Xiaomi smart home it will not be possible to implement all scenarios. But new devices are coming out, software is being improved, so we can say with confidence that the potential of the system is enormous.
If you have any questions or need help setting up the script, write in the comments or our
Is it possible to equip a house or apartment with a full-fledged automation system, or at least make a simplified Smart Home with your own hands, without entrusting this work to specialized companies?
On the Internet you can find a great many articles on this topic: people talk about their experience of installing both the simplest combinations of the category “light by motion sensors depending on the time of day”, and more complex ones, controlled via a computer or with mobile device(for example, from an iPad). Many of these solutions are really interesting and useful in everyday life.
What do you need to build a Smart Home yourself?
- Electrical knowledge. Understanding of the principles of control of various electrical appliances, experience in assembling electrical panels, knowledge of safety precautions when working with electric shock. Skills reliable connection cable.
- Knowledge of the principles of building automation systems: types of controllers, inputs and outputs of controllers, types of signals.
- Programming skills for desktop or mobile operating system to create a control interface.
- Clear understanding of operating algorithms.
- Good knowledge of the equipment used.
Often, a Smart Home can be found in the form of a fairly simple but limited system, for example, monitoring water leaks, SMS notification or controlling lamps from a remote control. Such equipment exists in the form of ready-made “boxed” solutions intended for self-assembly.
We invite you to familiarize yourself with the range of ready-made solutions - “Smart Home in a Box” equipment sets that will allow you to implement the Smart Home system yourself.
This Smart Home system is a comprehensive solution that connects all subsystems into a single network, allowing you to control the entire house from one control panel or tablet computer.
To create a system that is reliable, convenient and easy to learn, allowing owners to feel completely safe, it takes years of work in this area: competent selection of equipment, careful software development, experienced engineers and designers. A worthy alternative to this battalion of specialists will be ready-made Smart Home solutions.
The most difficult work involves interfacing with third-party equipment: air conditioning, ventilation, home theater, etc.
In any case, we can always prepare a system design. The project will be completed in full accordance with the wishes and all building codes. It will include cable installation diagrams, panel diagrams and explanatory note with complete equipment specifications.
The cost of the project is low, but it will make it possible to produce everything yourself necessary work related to cable installation and assembly of switchboard equipment without the risk of shorting the “phase to zero”.
On the question of how to make a smart home with your own hands, ready-made project examples can also help you.
Since our systems are built on a freely programmable industrial controller (Beckhoff, ARIES, Siemens), having knowledge in this area, a person will be able to independently perform programming, configuration and adjustment in accordance with his own wishes.
The assembly we offer based on an industrial controller and Easy Home control software for Windows, Android or iOS leaves quite a lot of room for self-configuration, as it allows you to easily change the interface, add new elements, change scenarios and associations of switches to light groups, using already established principles.
Self-implemented Smart Home system for an apartment or private residential building will certainly give the owner huge amount knowledge and experience, but we recommend that before building a system on a residential property, discuss with our specialist the possibilities of a future intelligent building, ways to implement them and possible difficulties implementation in order to be completely confident in your abilities.
Good day, dear forum users!
On at the moment suspended my construction of a house with two floors and a basement. While it was cold, the idea came to mind to create a “smart home” system on our own and think in advance about where to put everything.
I ask for your help in understanding how much the system with my wishes will cost me.And so the idea of the following is spinning in my head:
- automation of light (not everywhere. only general night lighting, external lighting, and maybe a couple of rooms and a corridor)
- security automation (movement, opening, etc.)
-automation of video surveillance
-gas, leakage, smoke sensors
- intercom. gates.
- valve for water, gas.
- heating (either valves on the pipes, or directly to the boiler, so far the boiler will definitely be a DEO of 40-50 kilowatts). the boiler is more interesting - but I don’t know what protocols there are with the control panel.
-some sockets and complete blackout of some rooms.
-ventilation control (speed, closing)
-temperature sensors inside/outside
-everything is on wires. no wifi.
-a multimedia server is not really needed in this system. will be standard.1. good server on x86, or two - one for video surveillance, the other for managing the entire smart home. It's available, although not particularly powerful.
2. Control interface from consoles on floors\switches\Android-Windows smartphone. at the same time we exclude the cloud! only local web, possibly open to the Internet (or using VPN, if managed from afar). consoles are not required, but mobile phones are desirable. but no cloud services.
3. more or less convenient control interface.
4. Use twisted pair cable to stretch it all across the floors and work only over the wire. I want absolutely no wireless sensors or controls.
5. I plan to use only LED lighting, although some lamps may be halogen.
6. I would like dimming in some places.
7. I would like an application for Android/Windowsphone that could connect to the local server not through the cloud but directly.
8. automatic cat feeder/drinker)As a result, I want to get the following:
1. from phone full control all the things in the house, plus a bookmark in which I would see the image from the cameras.
2. control from a TV (with miniPS), tablet (console), switches.I have programming skills, but limited. Windows family - admin, Linux - at the user level.
This question arose for me because:
1. I can’t decide on the protocol for interaction between smart home devices and, as a result, I don’t know what to implement.
2. I don’t really want to get attached to rack and pinion devices due to the high price and limited capabilities.
3. I don't want to use wireless solutions.I am completely sure that there must be systems installed on PCs, with applications for Android, with the functionality that I need. and there must be automation equipment (sensors, relays, dimmers), which should not cost the huge money that our distributors want.
I am very pleased with the availability of cheap Chinese iron, but I am disappointed by its quality.
Thank you in advance for pointing your thoughts in the right direction.